Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Magnum Opus

I know that I frequently joke about having a big Irish head. It's one of my go-to self-directed barbs in my arsenal of self loathing criticisms. It's sort of convenient to have flaws that you know you can't change, right? I mean, if you have a big head, you just do. End of story. But if it's good enough for Conan O'Brien, well then I suppose for me it will have to do as well.

One of the outcomes of having a magnum sized head is that patterns that are supposed to be très slouchy in a carefree, boho sort of way end up looking just le tight on folks like me. The jaunty beret becomes beanie-esque rather quickly. That's fine. I was the Brownie scout who hated the sash and the vest (I did love the outdoor cooking badge, however) but was all over the beanie. Beanies are deeply cool. And warmer!The Specs:Pattern: Opus Spicatum by Kate Gagnon. I am two-for-two with her hat patterns! After the national craze that was the Selbu Modern, this one a huge winner and knits up fast like nobody's business. Adore!

Yarn: Naturespun worsted in Mango (202) and A Bit of Blue (115), a third of a skein of each. I had this yarn forever in my stash and am pleased to have used it--it's like a slightly less soft version of Cascade 220 (the gold standard for this price point), however the superwash angle kind of scares me like it might have been dipped in a vat of toxic chemicals to get it that way. I'm sure I'm wrong about this, however.

Needles: Addi Turbo, size 6 and 8. The pattern calls for a size 9, but I got gauge with the smaller needle.

Mods: None whatsoever.All in all excited to wear this hat later today, although I cringe at the thought of the 'wintry mix' that is in the forecast. In my opinion those words should never been combined under any circumstances.

What's next for me on my own Magical Mystery Tour of Color, you ask? Well we'll be taking a break from the stranding for the next day of two so we can get a pair of Evangelines in Lamb's Pride off the ground. I feel that conjuring up the power of the word combination 'Prairie Goldenrod' will cancel out the two heinous words mentioned above. Ha!

I personally have freakishly small hands for my arms, and also such tiny nostrils I can barely breathe sometimes. My ears are so small the ipod type headphones pop right out. How's that for weird, unchangeable shortcomings?

(BTW, the entomology hat in the book is quite big on my head. You might like that one.)

As for the chemicals, well, the idea is to remove the scales on the wool that normally cling to one another. They use acid or a polymer, I think, to remove them or tamp them down. But hey, it doesn't shrink!

Love the hat, and I share your feelings about the wintry mix. (Here, it's supposed to turn to all rain come morning, so I hope that'll come your way and melt all the mess. Sometimes I think the weather people just freak us out unnecessarily about this stuff anyway.)

May i ask you the measurement of your head? I only ask cause my boyfriend has a huge noggin and i think he would like that, but wouldn't like a beret, but if it would end up a beanie on him it would rock! it's ok too if you don't want to divulge those details.It is appreciated though!

You are on an absolute roll, my dear! I am really feeling all the colorwork. And, my, wouldn't an Opus Spicatum and a Herringbone Mittens set be lovely? Oooooh, maybe with one main color the same, but a different contrasting color on the hat and mittens as to avoid being too matchy-matchy? (Who am I kidding, I love matchy-matchy).

A big head huh? Well, you could tell yourself it's because you have an extra big brain. I think the part that controls wit and derision is especially well-developed!! Plus you're bilingual, and that takes up a lot of room in the ol'coconut, doesn't it?

I'm like you.. I got a big head.. I LOVE hats.. finding one that fits is another story...I end up giving each one away. I've tried to stay away from the slouchy berets only to prove your point.. Beret on some = beanie on me... I may just give this one a try.. LOVE the colors.. and I can't wait to see the Warming Golden Evangelines.

Oooh, I really do like that hat pattern, and your colorwork is loverly, as always.I happen to be making some Evangelines myself, fun little project- a little break from compulsive baby hat knitting, lol! though I don't think the fingerless thing will help me one bit if I dare venture out of doors anytime soon...